10 questions we want answered by the 'Under the Dome' finale

"Curtains" -- Angie (Britt Robertson, left), Joe (Colin Ford, center) and Norrie (Mackenzie Lintz, right) see the pink stars in the sky on the first season finale of Under the Dome Courtesy photo

Published: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 1:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 1:31 p.m.

The first season of locally filmed CBS TV series 'Under the Dome,' based on the book by Stephen King about a town trapped under a mysterious dome, comes to a close 10 p.m. Monday with an episode titled, 'Curtains.' But before the dome dissipates until next summer's season two, there are 10 questions we want answered by the 'Under the Dome' finale

1. What will come of the mini-dome, the glowing egg and the recently hatched monarch?

For weeks, we have endured the phrase “mini-dome” and the constant reminder that “the monarch will be crowned.” But what does it all mean? Will the newly hatched monarch butterfly rule over Chester's Mill (unlikely) or will (more likely) its appearance trigger the unveiling of the prophesied leader's ascent to power?

2. Why is Barbie (Mike Vogel) the mysterious 'one'?

The government's radio transmission indicated Barbie as the annoyingly ambiguous “one we've been looking for” and the only one with “the necessary expertise” regarding the egg. Is he about to be recruited into the Avengers Initiative? Probably not, but until we get some answers, it's anyone's guess.

3. Will Big Jim (Dean Norris) survive?

The wannabe dictator and “protector” of Chester's Mill has fluctuated from helper to hinderer in the wake of the dome's arrival. Of late, he has descended further into villainy by killing several residents, including Dodee (Jolene Purdy). A better question might be, Does he deserve to see another day in his beloved town?

As if the Old West had arrived under the dome, the preview for the season finale featured Barbie at the gallows after being falsely charged for Big Jim's crimes.

6. Does Julia (Rachelle Lefevre) play a bigger part in the dome's plan?

Also seen in the season finale preview is Chester's Mill's favorite redheaded journalist at the center of a blue glow as her friends watch. Will she finally get the scoop she's been hunting for all season?

7. Is the dome biblical?

Like any good mood ring will tell you, black isn't a happy color. And in Monday's episode, the dome appears to be sporting a new pitch black coating, while one resident cites the Book of Revelations. Has this dome been sent from on high, or are its origins a little more cosmic than holy?

8. Will Sheriff Linda (Natalie Martinez) finally step up?

At the beginning of the series, Linda was one exploding pacemaker away from a promotion. Since then, she's constantly been one step behind all the bad dealings happening to her town. Following this week's blind allegiance to Big Jim's manhunt and mass arrests, it would be nice if the finale allowed her the opportunity to grow a backbone and start being the sheriff.

9. What did they do with the severed cow from the first episode?

The unfortunate cow that lost its better half when the dome came down on top of it has to be smelling up the joint somewhere.

10. Can we get more Barbie/Angie (Britt Robertson) teamwork?

They may have only interacted in the pilot episode before Angie was kidnapped, but their reunion in last week's episode made way for a fresh team of go-getters and proved that they should get more scenes together.

<p>The first season of locally filmed CBS TV series 'Under the Dome,' based on the book by Stephen King about a town trapped under a mysterious dome, comes to a close 10 p.m. Monday with an episode titled, 'Curtains.' But before the dome dissipates until next summer's season two, there are 10 questions we want answered by the 'Under the Dome' finale</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p><b>1. What will come of the mini-dome, the glowing egg and the recently hatched monarch?</b></p><p>For weeks, we have endured the phrase “mini-dome” and the constant reminder that “the monarch will be crowned.” But what does it all mean? Will the newly hatched monarch butterfly rule over Chester's Mill (unlikely) or will (more likely) its appearance trigger the unveiling of the prophesied leader's ascent to power?</p><p><b>2. Why is Barbie (Mike Vogel) the mysterious 'one'? </b></p><p>The government's radio transmission indicated Barbie as the annoyingly ambiguous “one we've been looking for” and the only one with “the necessary expertise” regarding the egg. Is he about to be recruited into the Avengers Initiative? Probably not, but until we get some answers, it's anyone's guess.</p><p><b>3. Will Big Jim (Dean Norris) survive?</b></p><p> The wannabe dictator and “protector” of Chester's Mill has fluctuated from helper to hinderer in the wake of the dome's arrival. Of late, he has descended further into villainy by killing several residents, including Dodee (Jolene Purdy). A better question might be, Does he deserve to see another day in his beloved town?</p><p><b>4. Can Junior (Alexander Koch) be redeemed? </b></p><p>The town's resident sociopath (and Big Jim's son) needs some redemption, stat. Simply put, he's a girlfriend-kidnapping, trigger-happy deputy with mommy and daddy issues, and one-fourth of The Handprint Teens. (They could form a superhero squad.) Will the finale let Junior leave Psycho Lane behind? </p><p><b>5.Is Chester's Mill bringing back public hangings?</b></p><p>As if the Old West had arrived under the dome, the preview for the season finale featured Barbie at the gallows after being falsely charged for Big Jim's crimes.</p><p><b>6. Does Julia (Rachelle Lefevre) play a bigger part in the dome's plan?</b></p><p>Also seen in the season finale preview is Chester's Mill's favorite redheaded journalist at the center of a blue glow as her friends watch. Will she finally get the scoop she's been hunting for all season?</p><p><b>7. Is the dome biblical?</b></p><p>Like any good mood ring will tell you, black isn't a happy color. And in Monday's episode, the dome appears to be sporting a new pitch black coating, while one resident cites the Book of Revelations. Has this dome been sent from on high, or are its origins a little more cosmic than holy? </p><p><b>8. Will Sheriff Linda (Natalie Martinez) finally step up?</b></p><p>At the beginning of the series, Linda was one exploding pacemaker away from a promotion. Since then, she's constantly been one step behind all the bad dealings happening to her town. Following this week's blind allegiance to Big Jim's manhunt and mass arrests, it would be nice if the finale allowed her the opportunity to grow a backbone and start being the sheriff.</p><p><b>9. What did they do with the severed cow from the first episode?</b></p><p>The unfortunate cow that lost its better half when the dome came down on top of it has to be smelling up the joint somewhere. </p><p><b>10. Can we get more Barbie/Angie (Britt Robertson) teamwork?</b></p><p>They may have only interacted in the pilot episode before Angie was kidnapped, but their reunion in last week's episode made way for a fresh team of go-getters and proved that they should get more scenes together.</p>